The Swedish Transport Agency is the authority responsible for issuing detailed regulations on compulsory pilotage concerning the areas where it is in force and the vessels to which it applies.
The regulations can be found in The Swedish Transport Agency’s Regulations and General Advice (TSFS 2012:38) on Pilotage.
The regulations regulate the possibility for the master of a vessel or another signed on nautical officer to be granted an exemption from compulsory pilotage.
One kind of exemption from compulsory pilotage issued by the Swedish Transport Agency is called fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC). On 31st December 2011 there were about 1100 valid fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificates and about 840 individual holders.
A fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate can be granted the master of a vessel or another nautical officer on the vessel. A nautical officer other than the master may only use his or her fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate if the master is also in possession of a fairway-specific exemption or a general exemption for the vessel and the fairway concerned.
A fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate can be valid for one or more fairways (mainly designated pilotage fairways) and for one or more vessels. It is a requirement for the applicant for such an exemption to have successfully passed theoretical and practical examinations in the fairway concerned. Before these examinations take place, the vessel and the applicant shall be approved by the Swedish Transport Agency in a review which includes a safety assessment of the vessel and its cargo as well as an inspection of the applicant’s certificates.
The applicant should have carried out informational passages in both directions of the fairway as a part of the application process for a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate.
An informational passage is a pilotage where the pilot gives information on safety and traffic related experiences in the fairway.
A detailed description of the requirements to obtain a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate and more detailed information about application, renewal and supplementary additions can be found in the regulations.
The forms included in the application for a new fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate may be downloaded on the right side of this page under DOCUMENTS.
New fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate
When the Swedish Transport Agency’s Maritime Department receives an application for a new fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate it will be considered by the Ship Traffic Section. If any necessary documents are missing, the applicant will be contacted by mail or e-mail and asked to supplement the application, a procedure which will delay the handling of the matter. For this reason, it is important to check that all necessary documents are included in the application from the beginning and that contact address, telephone number and e-mail address are stated.
If the application is complete, and if the vessel and the applicant, have received the approval of the Swedish Transport Agency, following a vessel safety assessment and an inspection of the applicant’s certificates, an examination permit is issued. The permit will be sent to the applicant and to the Swedish Maritime Administration’s Pilot Ordering Centre in the area concerned. The applicant may then make an appointment to take the examinations.
The applicant shall have successfully passed the theoretical exam before the practical examinations are carried out. Local variations may exist. When taking the theoretical exam, the applicant is also to present a bridge book (course book) for the fairway.
The practical examinations should be carried out in both directions of the fairway.
The theoretical and practical examinations are led by an appointed pilot. Such a pilot is appointed by the Swedish Transport Agency to lead the examinations relating to pilot exemptions.
After the examinations, the appointed pilot sends his or her statement on the examinations to the Swedish Transport Agency. After verification and evaluation of the examination results, the Swedish Transport Agency decides whether or not a Pilot Exemption Certificate can be issued.
It should be noted that in addition to the examinations, the handling of new pilot exemption matters also includes an administrative part.
An application for a new fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate shall contain the following supporting forms:
- Application for Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) (tick off New Pilot Exemption Certificate)
- General conditions when using a fairway related or general Pilot Exemption Certificate (to be signed)
- Safety Assessment Documentation (documentation is required for each vessel that the exemption relates to)
- A copy of the valid nautical competency certificate for the position on board
- For non-Swedish citizens: a legible copy of the applicant’s passport shall be attached
- Verification of Informational Passages
- List of passages referred to when applying for a Pilot Exemption Certificate
The Swedish Transport Agency charges between 13 550 and 43 500 Swedish kronor (SEK), depending on the size of the vessel and the length of the fairway.
Renewal of fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate
A fairway-related Pilot Exemption Certificate is valid for 3 years after issuing. An application of renewal can be made at the earliest 6 months before the date of expiry. If a renewed exemption certificate has not been issued before the date of expiry of the current Pilot Exemption Certificate, the certificate is not valid and a pilot must be used. However, renewal of the Pilot Exemption Certificate may still be made.
An application for renewal shall contain the following supporting forms:
- Application for Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) (tick off Renewal)
- General conditions when using a fairway related or general Pilot Exemption Certificate (to be signed)
- Verification of passages or other documentation proving recent experience of the fairway during the last 12 months.
- Safety Assessment Documentation (documentation is required for each vessel that the exemption relates to)
- A copy of the valid nautical competency certificate for the position on board
- For non-Swedish citizens: a legible copy of the applicant’s passport shall be attached
The Swedish Transport Agency charges 6 650 Swedish kronor (SEK) for a renewal of a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate.
Supplementary addition to a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate
A fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate may be supplemented to be valid on additional vessels and, in some cases, in fairways connecting to the fairway for which it was originally issued. A fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate may also be supplemented to be valid when using a tugboat.
An application for a supplementary addition shall contain the following supporting forms:
- Application for Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) (tick off Supplementary addition)
- Safety Assessment Documentation, if the application concerns a supplementary addition to cover additional vessels
- A copy of the valid nautical competency certificate for the position on board
Depending on what the application for a supplementary addition concerns, additional documentation might be requested. In some cases, practical examinations in the fairway concerned might be required
The Swedish Transport Agency charges 1 050 Swedish kronor (SEK) for a supplementary addition of a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate. A fee for an extra practical examination may be charged, if applicable.
Remember
Give yourself a good margin (at least 4 weeks) when applying for a renewal of or a supplementary addition to a fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificate.
State the appropriate contact address, invoice address, telephone number and e-mail address on all applications.
Contact
Applications for new fairway-specific Pilot Exemption Certificates or applications for renewals of or supplementary additions to such exemptions are to be sent to:
Swedish Transport Agency
Maritime Department
SE-601 73 Norrköping
Matters concerning Pilot Exemption Certificates are handled at:
Swedish Transport Agency
Ship Traffic Section
Telephone no: +46 771 503 503
Fax: +46 11 23 88 12
E-mail: pec@transportstyrelsen.se